Save the Manatee Trust Fund - Florida Fish and Wildlife ...Save the Manatee Trust Fund 4 2002–2003 Annual Report This is the annual status report on expenditures from the Save the

Save the ManateeTrust Fund

Annual Report2002–2003

Manatees resting in Salt Creek at Warm Mineral Springs

Submitted by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Kenneth D. Haddad: Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionBrian Barnett: Office of Environmental Services Director

Frank Montalbano: Division of Wildlife DirectorGil McRae: Florida Marine Research Institute Director

Colonel Julie Jones: Division of Law Enforcement DirectorScott Ball: Office of Informational Services Acting Director

Kipp Frohlich: Protected Species Management Bureau ChiefElsa Haubold: Endangered and Threatened Species Section Program Administrator

REPORT CONTRIBUTORSCoordinator: Candice Henry

Reviewers: Kipp Frohlich, Elsa HauboldEditorial Assistant: Mary Horneck

Layout: Jessica SmithPhotographs: FMRI Slide Library

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FWC)

FWC Division of Wildlife

620 South Meridian StreetTallahassee, Florida 32399

(850) 922-4330

http://myfwc.com/psm

FWC Florida Marine Research Institute

100 Eighth Avenue SoutheastSt. Petersburg, Florida 33701

(727) 896-8626

http://www.floridamarine.org

FWC Office of Informational Services


(850) 488-4676

http://myfwc.com

FWC Division of Law Enforcement


(850) 488-6251

http://myfwc.com/law

1-888-404-FWCC (3922)To report fish and wildlife violations,

including manatee injuries and mortalities

Save the Manatee Trust FundAnnual Report

2002–2003

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission620 South Meridian StreetTallahassee, Florida 32399

http://myfwc.comhttp://floridamarine.org

Submitted byFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division of Wildlife’s Bureau of Protected Species ManagementDivision of Law Enforcement

Office of Informational Servicesand

Florida Marine Research Institute’s Endangered and Threatened Species Program

4 2002–2003 Annual ReportSave the Manatee Trust Fund

This is the annual status report on expenditures from the Save the Manatee Trust Fund (STMTF). This report isprovided to the President of the Florida Senate and the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives each year.

Funding for the state’s manatee-related research and conservation activities is provided primarily from theSTMTF, which receives money from sales of manatee license plates and decals, boat registration fees, andvoluntary donations. Revenues for fiscal year (FY) 2002–2003 totaled $3,795,365.

Appropriations for the same FY were approximately $3,992,736. Of that, $3,534,652 was provided to the FloridaFish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for research, conservation, and enforcement. Mote MarineLaboratory received $325,000 for additional research, and the Advisory Council for Environmental Educationreceived $133,084. Details are presented in the pie charts at right.

Expenditures by the FWC from the STMTF included $1,682,979 for research activities coordinated by the FWCFlorida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) in St. Petersburg; $1,155,999 for conservation activities within the FWCOffice of Environmental Services’ Bureau of Protected Species Management (BPSM); and $372,875 to the FWCDivision of Law Enforcement. Budgetary breakdowns for individual program elements under both the researchand conservation efforts are included, followed by summaries of the work performed at the FMRI and the BPSM.

The Florida manatee is native to Florida’s coastal and riverine waters and is listed by both the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service and the FWC as an endangered species. Manatees have been protected in Florida since 1892.Federally, both the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act protect manatees. Currentstate efforts to recover the population are guided by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act [Section 370.12(2), FloridaStatutes] and the federal Florida Manatee Recovery Plan of 2001. In FY 2002–2003, the FWC’s manatee programfocused on actions related to a settlement agreement from a lawsuit brought by Save the Manatee Club et al. in2001. These activities involved (1) increasing the number of FWC law enforcement officers and the amount oftime spent enforcing manatee zones in Florida’s waterways, (2) completing a comprehensive report by FMRIanalyzing manatee use of the Caloosahatchee River and surrounding areas, and (3) promulgating rules regulatingboat speed and access in six counties to reduce risk to manatees.

The FWC staff members’ also focused on completing a biological status review of the Florida manatee to assessits proper classification on the state of Florida’s imperiled species list. The final report, available at www.flori-damarine.org, is the result of a complex scientific process that included compilation of the best available manateedata and development of a population viability analysis model to project the probability of a population declineand extinction in the next 45 and 100 years. The estimate of growth rate for the southwest subpopulation is slightlynegative; although, there is statistical uncertainty surrounding the estimate. This means that researchers cannotdetermine with certainty whether the population is slowly increasing, roughly stable, or in definite decline. Asreported in the final biological status review, of major concern is that model simulations indicate that thesouthwest subpopulation shows negative growth under conditions of constant carrying capacity and constant sur-vival. Under this scenario, approximately half of the current estimated population in southwest Florida is project-ed to disappear within the next 45 years. Even assuming the most optimistic scenario of constant habitat condi-tions and no deaths caused by red tide or cold, the projected population trajectory is downward for the southwestregion.

Although great strides have been made toward recovering the Florida manatee, there are still human-related andnatural factors that could negatively affect the long-term survival of the species. With continuing conservation, lawenforcement, outreach, and research, the FWC hopes to ensure that there will be a robust manatee population inFlorida’s future.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Mote Marine Laboratory$325,000 FWC Law Enforcement

$372,875

Advisory Councilfor Environmental

Education$133,084

FWC Manatee Program$3,161,777

APPROPRIATIONSTotal—$3,992,736

Decals andDonations$90,710

Interest$67,840

Boat Registrations$1,796,291

Save the ManateeLicense Plates$1,840,524

REVENUETotal—$3,795,365

Save the Manatee Trust FundRevenues and Expenditures

Figure 1: Revenues and Expenditures

Signs$28,763

MPP Grants$35,000

Rule Development$207,549

Planning andPermitting$422,900

Habitat Protection$175,408

DataDistribution$116,517

Education andInformation$169,862

FWC Manatee ProgramConservation ExpensesTotal—$1,155,999

Salvage andRescue$861,302Population

Monitoring$192,214

GeographicInformation Services$245,725

Ecology and Migration$83,648

Life History andBiology$138,630

Regional Assessments$161,460

FWC Manatee ProgramResearch ExpensesTotal—$1,682,979*

*Includes $15,327 in General Revenue to cover insufficientappropriation for FTE Salary


MANATEE BASICSCommon Name Florida manateeScientific Name Trichechus manatus latirostrisStatus Endangered (federal and state)Range Throughout Florida (the summer months into southeastern states)Maximum Census 3,276 counted in 2001History Native species found in fossil record and recorded by earliest explorersDiet Freshwater and marine species of plantsReproduction Breed year-round; most calves born in spring; a mature female can

produce one calf approximately every three yearsLife Span Can live over 50 years, but this is rareUnusual Fact Age is determined by examining a thin cross section of the earbone of dead

manatees, and counting growth layers, similar to counting rings in a tree

A CLOSER LOOKAdult manatees typically average 8–10 feet in length and weigh around 1,000 pounds. The largest

manatees may reach 13 feet in length and weigh over 3,500 pounds. Adults are gray in color, with verysparse hairs distributed over much of the body. Stiff whiskers grow around the face and lips. Algaegrowing on the skin may make them appear green or brown. Manatees that live in saltwater may alsohave barnacles growing on their skin. Despite their large size, manatees can be difficult to see in the wild.Manatees eat a variety of aquatic plants and are often seen near natural or artificial fresh water sources.

During the colder months, manatees in the southeastern United States must migrate to relatively warmwater. This warm water may be in south Florida or may be the warm water of an artesian spring orindustrial discharge. Manatees may mate year-round, however, most calves are born in the spring.Gestation lasts approximately 13 months and results in the birth of a calf (rarely twins) measuring 3–5feet in length. The calves remain with their mothers for up to two years.

Manatees are killed or injured from a variety of causes. Manatees die as a result of exposure to harmfulalgal blooms (red tide), the effects of cold water, and disease. Human-related causes include watercraft,crushed in water control gates and boat locks, and entanglement in fishing gear. Manatee habitat loss ordegradation, including future changes in artificial warm water refugia upon which many have becomedependent, is also of concern.

The Florida Manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive SummarySave the Manatee Trust Fund Revenues and Expenditures

Figure 1: Revenues and ExpendituresManatee Basics

Florida Marine Research InstituteMortality and Rescue

Table 1: Manatee Mortality FY 2002–2003Table 2: Manatee Rescues FY 2002–2003

Population MonitoringBiological Status Review of the Florida ManateeMeasurable Biological Goals for the Recovery of the ManateeBehavioral Ecology and MigrationLife History and BiologyMarine Mammals Geographic Information SystemHuman DimensionsRegional AssessmentsPublications Resulting From Work Funded by the Save the Manatee Trust FundRight Whales

Bureau of Protected Species ManagementLaw Enforcement CoordinationPlan and Permit ReviewRule AdministrationStructure-Related Manatee Deaths

Figure 2: Structure-Related DeathsManatee Protection PlansHabitat Characterization, Assessment, and ProtectionEnvironmental Education and Information DisseminationData Distribution and Technical SupportConsensus Building and Stakeholder Cooperation

Advisory Council on Environmental Education

Appendix A: Definition of Acronyms

4556

89910121314151617181920

22242429293032343637

38

40


MORTALITY AND RESCUEA network of researchers and law

enforcement agencies was established in 1974to recover manatee carcasses and provideassistance to injured manatees. The mortalityand rescue program now rests largely with theFlorida Fish and Wildlife ConservationCommission.

All carcasses are retrieved by staff located atfive field coastal stations. Most carcasses areexamined (necropsied) at the Marine MammalPathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) in St.Petersburg in order to determine cause ofdeath. The MMPL, designed to process 150carcasses per year, now handles more than 300carcasses per year.

Information gained through carcass salvage,rescue, and rehabilitation is crucial in providingwildlife managers with information aboutmanatee health, mortality factors, life history,and general and reproductive biology. Thisprogram also provides data used in developingpopulation models.

2002–2003 Highlights

Carcass Salvage� Statewide, there were 361 manatee

carcasses documented in Florida duringthe fiscal year, and all but 9 wererecovered and examined.

� During the spring, a red tide eventcontinued off the coast of southwestFlorida. According to necropsy findingsand toxicology results, a total of 84manatees are suspected to have died as aresult of the red tide bloom. As a result, afederally appointed advisory panel, TheWorking Group for Unusual MarineMammal Mortality Events, declared thisan unusual mortality event.

� For genetic analysis, tissue samples werecollected from all 352 recoveredcarcasses. Other tissues were collected fortoxicology and histopathology.

� Over 200 public records requests werefilled for necropsy reports or necropsy-related data. Thousands of visits werelogged on the FMRI manatee mortalityWeb pages containing interactive,searchable, mortality data.

Rescue and Rehabilitation� Forty-nine rescues were performed

statewide during the 2002–2003 fiscalyear.

� As of July 2003, 23 of these animals havebeen released back into the wild; 11 havedied, and the remaining animals are stillbeing rehabilitated in facilities around thestate.

FMRI staff members use a specially designed boat thatallows for the animal to be pulled onto the back of therescue boat


FMRI-MMPL received local, national, andinternational media attention:

Greenpeace Magazine—GermanyBoat US MagazineNew York TimesBoston GlobeDiscovery ChannelNational GeographicSmithsonian MagazineWall Street Journal

MMPL hosted visitors, faculty, and studentsfrom national and international institutions:

University of North Carolina BrazilHubbs-Sea World FranceUniversity of Florida BelizeUniversity of Illinois EnglandMontana State University IrelandTexas A&M UniversityUniversity of MichiganNewcastle University (UK)

Table 1. Manatee MortalityFY 2002–2003

Human—watercraft-related 75Human—other(entanglement, ingestion, etc.) 10

Human(flood gate or canal lock) 2

Natural 93Perinatal(total body length less than 150 cm) 68

Cold Stress 39Undetermined* 65Carcasses not recovered 9

Table 2. Manatee RescuesFY 2002–2003

Human—watercraft-related 8

Human—entanglement 9

Human—entrapment(flood gate or canal lock) 3

Human—other 1

Calf—alone 7

Natural—includes red tide 21

MMPL staff perform a necropsy while three othercarcasses await examination

Manatee rescued due to crabpot line entanglement

* ‘Undetermined’ refers to all manatee deaths classified as‘Undetermined: Decomposed’ or ‘Undetermined: Other’


POPULATION MONITORINGAerial surveys are important tools for

acquiring information on manatee distribution,relative abundance, and use of habitat types.Statewide aerial and ground surveys of allknown manatee wintering habitats in Floridaand southeast Georgia are conducted after coldfronts, when animals aggregate at warm springsand thermal discharges from power plants andindustries. Called “synoptic surveys,” thesesurveys are conducted in fulfillment of theFlorida statute requiring an annual manateecensus. Synoptic surveys yield minimumestimates of the manatee population. Otheraerial surveys, called “distribution surveys,” areconducted twice monthly for two years to mapseasonal distribution of manatees.

Aerial surveys are believed to underestimatemanatee populations largely because someanimals go undetected by observers. A modelthat uses a correction factor to integrate theeffects of the environment on counts and theobserver bias that occurs during surveys(number of animals undetected by theobserver), is being developed to assist incalculating the most accurate, usable counts ofFlorida manatees. The calibration study wasdesigned to provide better results from aerialsurveys conducted at Tampa ElectricCompany’s (TECO) Big Bend power plant inTampa Bay by using a calibration or correctionfactor that can adjust counts upward to correctfor animals that were present but not countedduring the survey. This study and similarstudies should improve manatee counts atwinter aggregation sites.


Synoptic Surveys� To obtain minimum manatee-population

counts, staff members from FWC and itspartners conducted three synopticsurveys in January 2003. Weatherconditions were excellent during all threesurveys. The following are total countsfor each of the synoptic surveys:

January 9 2,861January 21–22 3,113January 26–28 3,029

� The survey conducted January 21–22yielded the second highest statewidecount since the survey began in 1991.

Distribution Surveys� In July 2002, FWC biologists began

flying distribution surveys twice monthlyin Indian River and Volusia counties.These surveys are designed to documentthe seasonal distribution of manatees inthose counties and will continue untilJune 2004.

Calibration Study� The fourth year of the Tampa Bay

Calibration Study was completed.Nineteen animals were captured, tagged,and monitored near the TECO Big Bendpower plant.

� Fifteen of these animals were fitted withbelts that had flags attached that could beseen from survey aircraft.

� Time-depth-temperature (TDR) recorderswere also attached to the belts on five ofnineteen captured manatees. The TDRdata will be used to calculate the averagedive time of each manatee.


� To regularly track manatee location andmovement, Global Positioning System(GPS) satellite radio tags were attachedto the belts on six of the animals.

� To record flag sightings, calibrationflights were flown for 13 days in January.Ground crews also participated indocumenting flags.

� To develop a correction factor for aerialsurveys flown at Big Bend power plant,data from this fiscal year and the previousthree years of the study are beinganalyzed.

Flag and GPS tag used during 2002Calibration Study

Many agencies and institutions assisted with the synoptic surveys:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jacksonville UniversityMote Marine Laboratory Lignam Via Key State Botanical ReserveWildlife Trust Palm Beach County—Department of Environmental Dade County ResourcesNational Park Service Dade County—Department of Environmental ResourcesDynamac Broward CountyBlue Spring State Park

Several agencies and institutions assisted with the calibration study:

University of Florida SeaWorld U.S. Geological SurveyMote Marine Laboratory Wildlife Trust Sirenia ProjectFlorida Aquarium Ocean Conservancy

Tampa Electric Company’s Big Bendpower plant

Plane flying an aerial survey, similar tothose flown by the FWC


Biological Status Review of the Florida Manatee

The Florida manatee is currently listed asendangered at both the state and federal levels.The FWC was petitioned by the CoastalConservation Association to evaluate the statusof the Florida manatee based on the state ofFlorida’s criteria, which were adopted in 1999.The biological status review of a species isconducted around five measurable, objectivecriteria that are used to define a species asendangered, threatened, or a species of specialconcern. A species need only meet therequirements of one of the five criteria to belisted in a category. The report on the finalbiological status review of the Florida manateeis the result of a complex scientific process thatincluded compiling the best available data onthe manatee and developing a populationviability analysis model to project theprobability of a population decline andextinction in the next 45 and 100 years.

� There was little evidence to suggest that themanatee could become extinct within thenext 100 years. However, under certainscenarios, the population was reduced tovery few animals (less than 200) over a 100-year period.

� Of major concern is the finding that thesouthwest subpopulation shows a negativegrowth rate. Even assuming the mostoptimistic and unrealistic case of constantconditions and no red tides or coldmortalities, the projected populationtrajectory is downward for the southwestsubpopulation. This subpopulation, whichincludes Tampa Bay, south, throughCollier County is thought to containapproximately 1400 individuals.

� The FWC has postponed making adecision on the listing status of themanatee. If the commission determinedthat down-listing is warranted, it will directstaff to complete a management plan forthe Florida manatee by a specified date.The manatee would not be down-listeduntil the management plan was approved.

� It is important to note that the preliminaryrecommendation for down-listing shouldnot be interpreted as confirmation that thespecies has been “recovered” or that it nolonger requires protection. Also, the FWCstaff recommendation does not affect thefederal listing status of the manatee asendangered.

� FWC is currently working with otheragencies to develop a model that is specificto the Florida manatee and can be used toassess the population and to assist inmaking decisions about futuremanagement actions.

� The final report on the Florida manateebiological status review is available onFMRIs Web site: www.floridamarine.org.

� Eighteen FMRI and other FWC staffmembers contributed to the 151-pagereport. Currently, it is the mostcomprehensive analysis of manateepopulation data.

� Two of the state’s criteria for listing speciesare related to population decline. FWC’spopulation viability analysis modelindicated that, given future threats to thespecies, there is a probability of a 50%decline in the manatee population. Thisfigure meets the definition of “threatened”under the state’s population declinecriteria.

� In Florida alone, area of occurrence of theFlorida manatee was determined to be atleast 7,500 square miles.

� The minimum number of maturemanatees was estimated at 2,165 (based onthe high count of 3,276 manatees recordedin January 2001).


Measurable Biological Goals for the Recovery of the Florida Manatee

During the 2002 legislative session, section372.072, Florida Statutes, was amended toinclude new requirements:

No later than February 15, 2003, thecommission, working in conjunction withthe United States Fish and WildlifeService, shall develop measurablebiological goals that define manateerecovery. These measurable biologicalgoals shall be used by the commission inits development of management plans orwork plans. In addition to other criteria,these measurable biological goals shall beused by the commission when evaluatingexisting and proposed protection rules andin determining progress in achievingmanatee recovery.

The plan further indicates that thesebenchmarks should be achieved with a95% level of confidence.

� As additional data are being collectedand abilities to measure manateepopulation status are improving, it isproposed that the FWC and the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service (USFWS) annuallyreview these benchmarks. Goals may bealtogether refined or changed in thefuture. In addition, it is noted that thestatute required the establishment ofmeasureable biological goals; however,there are many other goals and objectivesin the Recovery Plan that are critical tothe long-term survival of the species. Inparticular, the provision of viable habitatcomponents, such as warm water springs,is of major importance. Perhaps in thefuture, some measurable goals for thisand other habitat components can bejointly established.

� In January 2003, the FWC adopted thedemographic benchmarks contained inthe Third Revision of the FloridaManatee Recovery Plan as it felt that atthe current time these benchmarksprovide the best measurable biologicalgoals presently available. The adoptedbenchmarks are as follows:

A. Statistical confidence that theaverage annual rate of adult manateesurvival is 90% or greater

B. Statistical confidence that theaverage annual percentage of adultfemale manatees accompanied byfirst- or second-year calves in winteris 40% or greater

C. Statistical confidence that theaverage annual rate of populationgrowth is greater than or equal tozero


BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND MIGRATIONResearch on manatee use of Florida’s coastal

habitats is essential to understanding whatresources are required to sustain a healthypopulation. By tracking the movements ofindividual manatees in fresh, brackish, andsaltwater habitats, valuable information isobtained about their seasonal and dailymovement patterns, migratory behavior, sitefidelity, and habitat use.

To track manatees, researchers tether afloating radio-tag to a padded belt that fitsaround the base of the manatee’s tail. Radiosignals emitted by a satellite-linked transmitterwithin the tag are processed by the Argossystem (a commercial satellite service), andlocation and other data are delivered to FMRIdaily via the Internet. Staff use the satellite-derived locations to remotely track manateemovements over long periods.

To record data on behavior, group size,habitat, and movements, staff members homein on the tag’s unique VHF radio and ultrason-ic signals. During the past fiscal year,tremendous strides have been made intelemetry technology such that GPS are nowavailable to track manatees. This allowsresearchers to obtain much more accuratelocations of an animal on a more frequent basis(tags were set to obtain location informationevery 20 minutes this field season).

� It was found that individual, taggedmanatees leaving the warm waterdischarge of the power plant showedindividual preferences for feeding sites.

� The final year of the Warm MineralSprings (WMS) study began in January2003. Four manatees, recognized fromphoto-identification as animals thatregularly use this warm water site, wereradio-tagged. The frequency of thesefour animal’s use of the site was studiedin relation to time, tidal state, and watertemperature.

� Staff members monitored three animalsthat had been rehabilitated at oceanariafacilities and released into the wild(Spike, Mo, and Lowry).

� Spike was captured for a healthassessment in July 2002. A month laterhis tag went off-line. Staff members havenot seen him since that day.

� Lowry, born at Lowry Park Zoo after hismother was rescued, was tracked untilDecember 19, 2002, when he died ofnatural causes.

� As a result of tracking, Mo wasdetermined to be underweight, and arescue was performed in Sulphur Springson January 9, 2003. He is recovering,and plans are being made for anotherrelease.

� Based on data and recommendationsprovided by research efforts, the FWCapproved a new seasonal no-entry zonein Salt Creek from the Route 41 bridge,north, to the weir at the WMSCommunity Center.


� Six Argos-linked GPS tags were used inthe December Calibration Study atTECO’s Big Bend power plant.


LIFE HISTORY AND BIOLOGYInformation on manatee life histories is

essential in assessing manatee populationdynamics and recovery. Long-term data ongrowth and survival of individuals,reproductive performance of mature females,and health of wild manatees are important tothe development of reliable population models.These data are gathered using a variety ofresearch tools, including photo-identification ofdistinctly scarred individuals, passive integratedtransponders (PIT tags) and non-invasive bodycondition indices such as ultrasoundmeasurements of blubber thickness.

Photo IdentificationMany manatees can be recognized by their

unique pattern of scars. Most scars are causedby collisions with watercraft, but they alsoresult from entanglement in fishing gear andfrom fungal infections. The Manatee IndividualPhoto-Identification System (MIPS) is animage-based computerized database, initiallydeveloped by the U.S. Geological Survey’sSirenia Project. The MIPS allows researchersto easily match photographs of scarredmanatees taken in the field to distinctivelymarked individuals that have been previouslyobserved, documented with photographs, andcataloged in the database. FMRI collaboratesclosely wih the Sirenia Project and MoteMarine Laboratory and coordinates andmanages the portion of the catalog for west-central and southwestern Florida. In addition,FMRI field staff photo-document manateesstatewide. Photo-identification data provideinsights into manatee movements, site fidelity,survival rates, and reproductive parameterssuch as calving intervals.

Passive Integrated TranspondersAn important aspect of studying the manatee

population is the ability to recognize individualanimals over a long period of time. Currently,PIT tags are primarily effective for identifying

free-ranging manatees rescued due to injury,captured during research operations, orrecovered dead. Similar to microchipsimplanted in domestic animals, PIT tags areinserted just under the skin near the shoulderblades of manatees handled by FMRI or otherscientists. All animals that staff members comeinto contact with are scanned for PIT tags. Apositive scan indicates that the animal has beenused in a study or has been rescued in the past,adding to what is known about the particularanimal’s history.


� Fifteen fully documented animals fromsouthwest Florida were added to thephoto-identification database this year.

� Staff members, interns, and volunteersspent 136 days conducting photo-identification research at land and boatsites around the Tampa Bay area andsouthwest Florida.

� Volunteers with the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers spent over 135 daysphotographing manatees at the Franklinand Ortona locks.

� Of the 19 animals captured at TECO, 3were known MIPS animals; 4 wereassigned new MIPS IDs; 6 were new,distinct unknowns, and 6 were indistinct.

� Eleven carcasses were identified througha positive PIT scan.


MARINE MAMMALS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

A geographic information system (GIS) is acomputer-based mapping system designed tomanipulate, analyze, and display large volumesof geographically-referenced data called“coverages.” Staff members working on theMarine Mammals GIS (MMGIS) have creatednumerous manatee data coverages, includingcarcass recovery sites, aerial survey locations,and locations of animals tracked by satellite.The MMGIS is a module of the comprehensiveFMRI Marine Resources GIS (MRGIS), whichfacilitates access to a wide variety of data onthe marine environment. The MRGIS is aprimary tool for marine resource research andmanagement. By allowing users to combineand query coverages representing different datathemes relevant to the coastal environment,GIS applications facilitate an ecosystemapproach to coastal resource management. TheMMGIS staff works with research- andmanagement-project teams to provide thepublic with manatee data in GIS format and todevelop spatial analyses and modelingcapabilities for manatee protection andecosystem management.


� All previous synoptic survey data weremapped in a GIS format.

� A CD-ROM containing Tampa Bayaerial survey, spatial filter, and shorelinedata was created and delivered to BPSMfor the Tampa Bay rule process.

� Maps illustrating the spatial locations ofcarcasses and rescues in SouthwestFlorida were prepared close to real timefor the brevetoxin epizootic event(February–April 2003).

� GIS coverages were created for Volusiaand Indian River distributional surveysfor 2002–2003.

� Staff members successfully updated theprogramming to process manateemortality data in Access and ArcGIS.

Screen shot of ArcGIS software, used by GIS staffto analyze manatee deaths in the state of Florida


HUMAN DIMENSIONSTraditionally, wildlife managers have relied

on biological data to assess manatee status andset recovery goals. Managers use laws,regulations, and outreach as tools to achievethese goals. Consequently, wildlifemanagement can be viewed as management ofpeople, because human behavior ultimatelydetermines the success of wildlife managementactions. It is this human dimension of manateeprotection that will lead to the recovery of thespecies. Human-dimension research concernsitself with how to apply research results, interms of laws, regulations, law enforcement,and outreach, to achieve cost-effective manateeprotection.

Several specific projects involve FWCmanatee staff members:

1. Examining alternative approaches ofeducation, outreach, and on-the-watersignage to increase boater compliance inmanatee speed zones in the absence of lawenforcement

2. Assessing the effects of human activities(recreation, development, regulatory, etc.)on risks to manatees

3. Evaluating methods of implementation oflaws, regulations, law enforcement, andoutreach for their level of acceptance byand conflict with Florida’s citizens

There are expected benefits to human-dimension research:

1. Relieving some of the burden on lawenforcement through increased voluntarycompliance

2. Identifying those outreach and educational

approaches that are most effective ingenerating compliance with regulation(direct spending on only those methodsthat work) and nurturing environmentalstewardship

3. Working with citizens more effectively anddecreasing the level of conflict between theagency and the public


� Data analyses began on the final year ofresearch and a telephone survey to assessthe effectiveness of the educationalprogram of Tampa BayWatch.

� FMRI staff members conducted apreliminary demonstration of a remote-sensing device that would be used toassess vessel compliance and vesseltraffic.

� Staff members have initiated thestatistical analysis of a manatee speedzone sign study. The purpose of thisgrant-funded study is to assess whetherdifferent signs influence boatercompliance with speed zones.

� A manuscript titled “Boater Compliancewith Manatee Speed Zones in Florida”was completed for publication.

� The first phase of the Florida ManateeAvoidance Technology Program’s testingwas completed when contractors workingon technology related to voicerecognition programs for manateevocalizations met in St. Petersburg. Theprograms have had varied successdepending on the methods employed toidentify the signals and the level ofbackground noise.


REGIONAL ASSESSMENTSIn partial fulfillment of the Settlement

Agreement between various environmentalgroups and the FWC, researchers from theFWC examined manatee use of theCaloosahatchee River in Lee County, eastward,to the Edison Bridge and manatee use ofMullock Creek. Researchers examined humanuse of the river, habitat features, large and fine-scale manatee movements (from telemetrydata), manatee distribution and relativeabundance (from aerial surveys), and manateedeaths (from FWC carcass recovery data).

The Caloosahatchee River is an importantplace for large numbers of manatees insouthwest Florida. Manatees use the mid-region, between Shell Point and the EdisonBridge, primarily as a travel corridor.

Requisites, such as warm water, are moreabundant west of Shell Point (west region) andeast of the Edison Bridge (east region).

Manatee distribution changes seasonally;reduced winter movements are concentratedupriver. In winter, fatally injured manatees mayseek refuge in the east region.

The annual rate of increase of watercraft-related manatee deaths (1989–2001) suggeststhat there has been a change in boaterabundance, boater behavior, or both. Data fromthis “weight-of-evidence” approach can be usedin a simulation model to evaluate risk tomanatees.

This map displays relative manatee abundancefor the Caloosahatchee River and surroundingareas during the warm season. The map was cre-ated from manatee aerial survey sightingsobtained between March and November, 1995and 1997.

This map displays relative manatee abundancefor the Caloosahatchee River and surroundingareas during the winter season. The map wascreated from manatee aerial survey sightingsobtained between December 1994 and February1995, and January, February, and December1997.


Publications Resulting From Work Funded by the Save the Manatee Trust Fund

Bossart, G.D., Meisner, R., Rommel, S.A., Ghim, S., and Jenson, A.B. 2003. Pathologic Features of theFlorida Manatee Cold Stress Syndrome. Aquatic Mammals. 29. 1:9–17.

Deutsch, C.J., J.P. Reid, R.K. Bonde, D.E. Easton, H.I. Kochman, and T.J. O’Shea. 2003. SeasonalMovements, Migratory Behavior and Site Fidelity of West Indian Manatees Along the Atlantic Coast ofU.S. Wildlife Monographs 67:1–77.

Kipps, E.K., W.A. McLellan, S.A. Rommel, and D.A. Pabst. 2002. Skin density and its influence onbouyancy in the manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), andbottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Marine Mammal Science 18:765–778.

McLellan, W.A., H.N. Koopman, S.A. Rommel, A.J. Read, C.W. Potter, J.R. Nicolas, A.J. Westgate, andD.A. Pabst. 2002. Ontogenetic allometry and body composition of harbour porpoises (Phocoenaphocoena) from the western North Atlantic. Journal of Zoology. 257:457–471.

Rommel, S.A. and H. Caplan. 2003. Vascular adaptations for heat conservation in the tail of Floridamanatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Journal of Anatomy 202:343–353.

Silber, G.K., L.I. Ward, R. Clarke, K.L. Schumacher, and A.J. Smith. 2002. Ship Traffic Patterns inRight Whale Critical Habitat: Year 1 of the Mandatory Ship Reporting System. NOAA Technical MemoNMFS-OPR-20.

Sorice, M.G., C.S. Shafer, and D. Scott. 2003. Managing Endangered Species within theUse/Preservation Paradox: Understanding and Defining Harassment of the West Indian Manatee(Trichechus manatus). Coastal Management 31:319–338.

FMRI manages state funds allocated for manatee research at Mote Marine Laboratory. The followingprojects were funded during the 2002–2003 fiscal year:

� Assessment of Thermal Biology and Potential for Thermal Stress

� Diagnostic Indicators of Manatee Immune Function

� Manatee Sensory Processes

� Studies in Matlacha Isles and other areas of southwestern Florida: Facilitating adult survival estima-tions in southwestern Florida, and documenting manatee habitat use patterns

� Developing numerical calibration indices at power plants

� Manatee rescue and verification


RIGHT WHALESIn addition to manatee recovery efforts, the

FWC is involved in recovery efforts for otherendangered marine mammals, including thenorth Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis,the most endangered of the world’s large whales.Most of this work is supported through grantfunding provided by NOAA-NMFS; however,portions of some staff salaries are provided bythe STMTF. Efforts have been heightened toprevent human-caused mortality in this species.Even one death per year has a significant impacton the population, which is estimated to numberapproximately 325 individuals. In 1994, NOAAFisheries designated Florida and Georgiacoastal waters as critical habitat for the rightwhale. This region is the only known calvingground of the northern right whale. The FWC isdedicated to assisting NOAA Fisheries in itsefforts to protect the north Atlantic right whaleas outlined in the 1991 Northern Right WhaleRecovery Plan.

Federal efforts to protect right whales in theFlorida-Georgia critical habitat have resulted inthe formation of the Southeast ImplementationTeam for the Recovery of the North AtlanticRight Whale, a multi-agency and citizen adviso-ry group. The Team develops management andresearch recommendations and assists in imple-menting the recovery plan. The FWC has been amember of the Implementation Team since its1993 inception. A FWC staff member served asthe chairperson of the team this year.

In an attempt to prevent ship strikes, which cankill or injure right whales, NOAA and the U.S.Coast Guard implemented the Mandatory ShipReporting Systems (MSR) in July 1999. Underthe systems, all commercial ships greater than300 gross tons are required to report to the MSRwhen entering either of two areas surrounding

designated critical habitat: one in waters off thenortheast U.S., the other off the southeast U.S.The northeast system operates year-round andencompasses critical habitats in Cape Cod Bayand the Great South Channel. The southeastsystem operates from 15 November to 15 Apriland encompasses right whale critical habitat offGeorgia and Florida. Ships’ captains arerequired to report vessel position, speed, anddestination at their point of entry into thesystem. Once a report is received by the MSRserver, a message providing information aboutrecent right whale locations and advisories issent back to the ship. FMRI coordinates a pager-alert network that notifies key agencies, ports,and mariners when right whales have beensighted.

Since 1987, FMRI staff members haveconducted numerous aerial surveys to monitorseasonal presence of right whales, to determinethe number of calves born, and to mitigate ship-whale collisions. Over the past several years,FMRI has worked closely with federal, state,and non-governmental-organization (NGO)partners to compile years of calving groundaerial-survey data into GIS format. Analyses ofthese spatial data will help researchers betterdefine right whale distribution patterns in thesoutheast calving grounds in relation toenvironmental factors and human activities.

Researchers are currently studying sea surfacetemperatures and bathymetry relative to whalesightings to help them better understand whalehabitats. Human activities, such as ship traffic,are also integrated into GIS to help characterizeship traffic patterns in right whale criticalhabitats. Ship traffic data are generated fromMSR systems surrounding right whale criticalhabitats.



� From December 1, 2002, until January26, 2003, FMRI staff membersconducted 35 aerial surveys. This effortresulted in a total of 23 sightings of rightwhales. The individual breakdown ofthese sightings is 14 mother and calfpairs, 8 lone adults, and one entangledright whale. After a survey aircraftcarrying Wildlife Trust personnel crashedoff of Fernandina Beach, Florida, allright whale surveys were temporarilysuspended pending analysis of safetyprotocols.

� Several FWC staff members obtainedtraining and became certified todisentangle large whales from lines orother fishing gear when the animals areentangled at sea.

� Staff members responded to severalrequests for information from theNational Marine Fisheries Service,including the preparation of mapsshowing U.S. Navy exercise sites in rela-tion to whale sightings, aerial locations ofentangled whales, and maps showingrelative abundance and distribution ofwhales.

� Staff members filled numerous NOAAFisheries requests for maps showingwhale distribution and relative

abundance in the southeast calvinggrounds.

� Staff members participated in a NOAArisk-assessment meeting aimed atdeveloping potential strategies to reduceor eliminate right whale ship-strikefatalities.

� All data collected during offshore aerialsurveys were entered, verified, and editedfor inclusion in the Right WhaleConsortium database.

� Staff members integrated identificationinformation with the GIS aerial pointdata allowing for spatial queries ofindividual whales in the southeasternUnited States.

Right Whale Facts

Current population consists of approximately 325 animals

Most endangered of the large whales

Hunted as early as the eleventh century

Commercial harvest of right whales banned by the International Whaling Commission in 1949

FWC staff member assists with thedisentanglement of a whale (photo provided by Center for Coastal Studies


LAW ENFORCEMENT COORDINATIONThe FWC Division of Law Enforcement was

appropriated $371,000 from the Save theManatee Trust Fund (STMTF) for salaries andbenefits within the 2002–2003 fiscal year. Withthe 2.5% pay increase, the appropriated fundswere increased to $372,875. The primary use ofthe funds was enhanced enforcement of theexisting manatee protection speed zones.

The divisions’ efforts are based on thepremise that education and enforcement areinseparable. The division’s enforcement effortsin this area include a strong educationalcomponent aimed at increasing communityawareness of manatee issues. The goal is togain an acceptable level of compliance to themanatee protection speed zones, which willhopefully result in a reduction of thewatercraft-related manatee mortalities.

Enforcement efforts begin with educationaland informational vessel stops and verbalwarnings as each new protection zone isposted. The enforcement contact is escalated towritten warnings and the issuance of UniformBoating Citations (UBC) after a specific zonehas been posted for a reasonable amount oftime or for repeat offenders. Officer discretion,based on interviewing violators, is the guidelinefor the type of enforcement action applied ineach contact.

Enforcement efforts have focused on areas ofhigh watercraft-related manatee mortalities,areas of high vessel traffic in manateeprotection zones, newly established protectionzones, and times of the year when highmanatee activity is expected (primarily wintermonths).

The Division of Law Enforcement continuesto provide enhanced enforcement and closelytrack enforcement activities in the followingcounties of critical interest regarding manateeprotection: Duval, Brevard, Indian River,Volusia, Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Lee,Collier, Manatee, Sarasota, Citrus, and Levy.


� To enhance manatee-protection efforts,twenty-five FWC law enforcementpositions were provided by the2001–2002 legislature. In October 2002,these new law enforcement officersgraduated from the FWC LawEnforcement Academy, and after 13weeks of an intense field-trainingprogram, they were functioning as fullyqualified officers throughout the state.

� In excess of 33,000 patrol hours wereconducted in critical areas as a responseto increased watercraft-related manateemortalities, reports of noncompliance,and sightings of high concentrations ofmanatees.

� Officers continued to provide firstresponse and assistance in the recovery ofmanatee carcasses and in live rescues.One such rescue took place in the TenThousand Islands. Officers assisted in theeffort and provided transportation to thearea in a flats boat and an airboat.

� Throughout the state, the Division ofLaw Enforcement participated in morethan 90 educational or outreach effortstargeting manatee awareness andcompliance with manatee protectionspeed zones. In conjunction with thetargeted educational and outreach efforts,officers made 31,474 educational


contacts regarding manatee protectionduring patrol hours.

� In an effort to prepare for enhancedpatrols of manatee protection speedzones in Hillsborough County, all localofficers have been attending speed radarschool.

� State of the art speed-detection deviceswere purchased for officers in VolusiaCounty.

� In an effort to provide improvedunderstanding of the protection zones,the division undertook the monumentaltask of conducting an inventory of allspeed zone markers in the state.Enforcement efforts regarding manateeprotection are closely related to propereducation of boaters. All the informationwas provided to FMRI GIS staffmembers for data entry.

Interagency Law Enforcement Cooperation

� As the lead agency, FWC coordinatedlaw enforcement officials in Lee Countyto begin the development of a MarineLaw Enforcement Task Force to betterorganize the county’s marine lawenforcement activities. Though primarilycreated to address manatee protection inLee County, it will also address othermarine-related issues, such as boatingsafety and other resource regulationenforcement. The following lawenforcement agencies have committed toparticipate in the Task Force: Lee CountySheriff ’s Office, Cape Coral PoliceDepartment, Fort Myers PoliceDepartment, Sanibel Police Department,and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Homeland Security Initiative

� The FWC Division of Law Enforcementcontinues to be an active participant inthe nation’s Homeland Security Initiative.The primary mission focus is providingport security in at least six differentlocations. These missions continue torequire the division to direct someresources to protection patrols. Thisparticipation continues to be required inBroward and other areas when the alert israised to orange.

Informational poster advertising the Marine LawEnforcement Task Force in Lee County


PLAN AND PERMIT REVIEWActivities permitted by state regulatory

agencies (Department of EnvironmentalProtection (DEP), water management districts,and the Department of Community Affairs)can adversely affect the endangered manatee.The BPSM reviews these projects and draftsagency opinions to reduce or eliminate poten-tial negative effects. Staff members also providetechnical support for the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService during their consultation process.


� Staff members provided expert testimonyduring administrative hearingsconcerning potential effects on manatees.

� Staff members attended numerousCabinet Aides meetings to assist withagenda items regarding effects onmanatees.

� The study for blasting conservationmeasures, initiated in the 2001–2002 fis-cal year and funded by the MarineMammal Commission and the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service, continued this year.Draft documents outlining a literaturesearch and guidelines for blasting conser-vation measures were developed and sub-mitted to the FWC. The information iscurrently under review.

� Staff members provided input to the DEPregarding several proposed rule revisionsfor submerged lands.

RULE ADMINISTRATIONThe Rule Administration Section focuses

primarily on establishing comprehensive,manatee protection, boat-speed and boat-accesszones. The section also administers activitiesrelated to these zones, such as sign-posting,permit issuance, and variance reviews. The firststate-designated, boat-speed zones for manateeprotection were established in 1979. In 1989, theGovernor and the Cabinet identified 13 countiesas high priority for the establishment of county-wide speed zones: Brevard, Broward, Citrus,Collier, Dade, Duval, Indian River, Lee, Martin,Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Sarasota, and Volusia.As of 1999, rules had been established in all ofthese counties. Much of this fiscal year’s effortswere again focused on consideration of rules fornumerous site-specific areas identified in anApril 2001 settlement agreement thecommission entered to resolve a lawsuit filed bya coalition of environmental groups. Some ofthe areas considered already had some level ofprotection in place, while others were complete-ly unregulated.

Operational Protection Under Settlement (OPUS)� In September 2002, under Phase I of OPUS, the

commission approved new or amended manateeprotection rules for portions of Charlotte,DeSoto, Citrus, Hillsborough, Indian River, andSarasota counties. The commission madechanges to the proposed zones in Charlotte,Indian River, and Sarasota counties; all otherproposed zones were approved withoutsubstantive changes.

� Language added to the proposed rules set theeffective date of each rule as the date thatregulatory signs are posted in each affected area.

� No administrative challenges were filed againstany of the rules.

Projects Reviewed During FY 2002-2003Standard Conditions

Required Additional Questions

Critical Reviews that could significantlyeffect manatees or their habitatMiscellaneous Correspondence

231

226

37

32


Charlotte and DeSoto County (68C-22.015, FAC)Adopted in November 2002

� The rule change added zones in the Lemon Bay,Turtle Bay, and Peace River areas.

� Staff members developed draft sign plans formarking the zones and they continue workingwith Charlotte County staff to post regulatorymarkers.

� On-water work to post the markers has not begun.

� No posting work is needed in the Peace Riversystem because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceadopted a federal manatee refuge that establishesidentical or more restrictive regulations in allareas covered by the FWC rule.

Citrus County (68C-22.011, FAC)Adopted in October 2002

� The rule change added two new winter season(November 15–March 31) safe-haven zones at theBlue Waters area of the Homosassa River.

� Staff members worked closely with employeesfrom the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Parkand Citrus County to develop a sign plan formarking the zones. The areas were posted in timefor the zones to be in effect for the entire2002–2003 winter season.

� The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adoptedfederal manatee sanctuaries that are identical tothe FWC zones. The posted markers display bothstate and federal regulations.

Hillsborough County (68C-22.013, FAC)Adopted in November 2002

� The rule change removes the existing winterseason slow speed and idle speed zones in theHillsborough Bay channel leading to the AlafiaRiver and in the lower portion of the river.

� The rule amendment created a year-round slowspeed zone in the lower portion of the AlafiaRiver with 25 mph boat operation allowed in themarked channel. In addition, a 25 mph shore-to-shore zone was established between US 41 and I-75.

� On the lower portion of the river, the new zonesoverlap Hillsborough County zones (enacted in2002) that extend south along much of the easternshoreline of Tampa Bay.

� Staff members worked closely with HillsboroughCounty to develop a sign plan for marking thezones. Posting of the areas was completed in May2003.

� Old and unnecessary FWC signs were removed asa result of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceadopting more restrictive and slightly larger fedralzones within the vicinity of the Tampa ElectricCompany Big Bend power plant area in ApolloBeach.

Indian River County (68C-22.007, FAC)Adopted in November 2002

� The rule change added a new winter season safe-haven zone in the vicinity of the Vero Beachpower plant and revised the existing zones in theJungle Trail Narrows vicinity to expand the arearegulated throughout the year.

� Staff members coordinated with the FloridaInland Navigation District to develop a sign planfor marking the zones.

� Posting of the areas was complete in June 2003.

Manatee County (68C-22.014, FAC)Adopted in November 2002

� The rule added zones in the Terra Ceia Bay areas.

� Staff members developed a draft sign plan for


marking the zones and they continue workingwith Manatee County employees to postregulatory markers.

Sarasota County (68C-22.026, FAC)Adopted in November 2002

� The rule added a year-round slow speed zone in apreviously unregulated area in the City Islandvicinity and added a new winter season safehaven in the Warm Mineral Springs area off ofthe Myakka River.

� The commission will oversee the October 2003scheduled posting of regulatory markers in theWarm Mineral Springs area.

Tampa Bay

� Phase I OPUS rules were adopted in November2002

� Staff members began working on Phase II, whichincludes developing a rule proposal for the TampaBay area.

Other Rule-Related Activities� As is now required by section 370.12(2)(f),

Florida Statutes, staff members notified the coun-ties of Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas thatthe commission was considering a rule andrequested that the counties designate a Local RuleReview Committee (LRRC).

� This will be the first time that the new LRCCprocess will be used. The committee will convenein July 2003.

Brevard County� Staff members worked with the Florida Inland

Navigation District (FIND) to post regulatorymarkers for the amendments to the BrevardCounty rule (68C022.006, FAC) adopted in June2002, following the state Division of

Administrative Hearings’ (DOAH) dismissal ofthree rule challenges filed in 2001.

� Two separate appeals of the DOAH Final Orderwere filed with the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

� In March 2003, the district court affirmed theDOAH Final Order, and no appeal of the rulingwas filed.

� Sign-posting work proceeded while the appealswere pending because the DOAH Final Orderhad affirmed the validity of the amendments.

� Contractors working for FIND began posting thenew zones in November 2002 and completed theinitial stages of work in February 2003; although,some fine-tuning and corrections were identifiedeven before the posting work was completed.

� One complication was the vandalism with chainsaws of several signs, mainly in the Eau Galliearea. The signs and upper pilings on a few of thevandalized installations were completely separat-ed from the lower portion of the pilings, leavingonly bare, unmarked pilings that were either sub-merged or only barely above the water’s surface.Fortunately, no one ran into any of the vandal-ized installations before FIND was able to replacethem.

Lee County� Staff members completed posting of the depth-

dependent zone (slow speed or 25 mph,depending on depth) on Mullock Creek inNovember 2002. The zone was adopted in June2001, but sign posting was delayed because ofpermit issues related to installation of the signs.

� In January 2003, a Lee County Court judgeissued a written Final Judgement dismissing sev-eral citations that area boaters had received forintentionally violating some of the zones inMatlacha Pass, Pine Island Sound, and EsteroBay. The ruling invalidated the affected zones.


� After the commission requested but was denied arehearing before the county court, the commis-sion appealed the order to the circuit court.

� The invalidated zones will remain in effect whilethe appeal is pending.

Volusia County� In January 2003, the city of Oak Hill requested an

extension of the southern boundary of the exist-ing slow speed zone in its jurisdiction (68C-22.012, FAC). The city wants the new boundaryextended to include the portion of theIntracoastal Waterway channel adjacent toseveral aquaculture leases in the MosquitoLagoon. The city said that the extension wasneeded to protect people involved in shellfishharvesting.

� In March 2003, the commission sent a responsestating that it would consider the rule changewhen it evaluates the entire rule (probably in2004); however, the commission would not beable to use human safety as a reason for increas-ing the size of a manatee protection zone.

Variances and WaiversThe BPSM received six requests for variances or

waivers from manatee protection rules, asauthorized by s. 120.542, Florida Statutes.Processing of these requests often requires aconsiderable amount of time because of notificationrequirements and the need for detailed coordinationwith the Division of Law Enforcement.

� In September 2002, the commissionreceived an amended petition for avariance from the Brevard County Non-Motorized Water Sports Association formotorboat activities related to rowingand other non-motorized activities inportions of Brevard County. The petitionwas denied in December 2002, mainly fortechnical and procedural reasons. Staffmembers continued discussions with the

applicant regarding whether the scope ofthe variance request could be narrowedor otherwise refined, but as of the end ofthe fiscal year, the applicant had notreapplied.

� In December 2002, the commissionreceived a request from a commercialcrabber for a variance from the BrevardCounty rule to allow him to operate hisvessel at speeds greater than Slow Speedwhile conducting commercial crabbingactivities. Staff members requestedadditional information from theapplicant in January 2003, but as of theend of the fiscal year, they had notreceived a response.

� In January 2003, the commissionreceived a request from the Boca RatonResort and Club for a variance fromportions of the Palm Beach County andBroward County rules for activitiesassociated with a Honda Marine dealermeeting in late 2003. Staff membersrequested additional information inFebruary 2003 and received a response inMarch 2003. As of the end of the fiscalyear, staff members were still in theprocess of reviewing the request.

� In February 2003, the commissionreceived a petition from the FloridaInstitute of Technology (FIT) for avariance from portions of the BrevardCounty rule for activities associated withFIT’s crew teams. Staff membersrequested additional information inFebruary 2003 and received a response inApril 2003. A Final Order granting aconditional variance was prepared in lateJune and signed by the ExecutiveDirector on July 1.

� In April 2003, the commission received apetition from a professional fishing guidefor a variance from the Volusia County


PermitsRule 68C-22.003, FAC, allows the commission to

issue a number of different types of permits foractivities that would otherwise be prohibited by themanatee protection rules. A total of 150–200permits for commercial fishing and professionalfishing guide activities are typically in effect at anygiven time. Each individual permit is in effect fortwo years from the date of issuance.

Staff members handled other permits this fiscalyear:

� The Save the Manatee Club’s challenge to thecommission’s notice of intent to issue a revisedvessel-testing permit to Sea Ray Boats ofBrevard County is still pending before the stateDivision of Administrative Hearings (DOAHCase No. -02- 1760). The case has been inabeyance since 2001, pending resolution ofissues related to the federal manatee refugethat encompasses the areas affected by theproposed permit.

� In December 2002, the commission issued apermit to the FWC’s FMRI to allow FMRIstaff members to operate several researchvessels at speeds greater than slow speed as

part of their efforts to capture and tagmanatees in the discharge canal of TECO’sBig Bend power plant in Hillsborough County.

� The commission issued a permit in March2003 to allow a Brevard County resident tooperate his vessel at speeds up to 25 mph whenthe water depth is not sufficient to allow accessto his property at slow speed.

� Staff members proposed numerous residentaccess permits for the new winter season safe-haven zone that was adopted in November2002 for a portion of the canal system adjacentto Vero Beach municipal power plant in IndianRiver County. The permits were not needed forthe 2002–2003 winter season, since theregulatory markers for the zone were notinstalled until June 2003, but the permits willbe needed to authorize access for the2003–2004 winter season.

Other ActivitiesSince October 2002, staff members have been

working with FMRI to review and comment onGIS maps of all FWC manatee protection rulesthat FMRI staff members are creating for use onthe Internet. The review process involves frequentcommunication between the BPSM and FMRI. Asof the end of the fiscal year, final maps had beencreated for about half of the areas that have rules.Maps for the other areas are in varying stages ofdevelopment or review.

rule to allow him to operate his vessel atspeeds greater than slow speed while con-ducting guiding activities. Staff membersrequested additional information in May2003, but as of the end of the fiscal year,they had not received a response.

� In April 2003, the commission received apetition from the Sarasota Ski-A-Reesorganization for a variance from theSarasota County rule to allow it tocontinue its traditional water skiingactivities in the City Island area that wasrecently changed to a slow speed zone.As of the end of the fiscal year, staffmembers were still in the process ofreviewing the request and coordinatingwith the applicant.


STRUCTURE-RELATED MANATEE DEATHSAfter watercraft, more manatee deaths are

attributed to navigational locks and water con-trol gates than any other human cause. From1974–2003, there were 174 structure-relatedmanatee deaths in Florida.

The FWC has taken an active role incoordinating with the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers (USACE), the South Florida WaterManagement District, and the FloridaDepartment of Environmental Protection todevelop solutions to this serious problem.Intergovernmental coordination has beencritical to addressing this issue. Save theManatee Trust Fund expenditures to addressstructure-related manatee deaths have been keyin supporting management and researchactivities, including review of new structuresand proposed manatee technology, site visits tostructures, organization of task force meetings,carcass recovery and rescues associated withstructures, and maintenance of a database.Additional federal and state funds have beenused to implement the technology needed tomake structures safer for manatees.

As shown in Figure 2, structure-causedmanatee deaths during 2001 and 2002 werewell below the 10-year average of 8.5 manateedeaths per year. There were no structure-relateddeaths in the first half of 2003.

There were five structure-related manateedeaths in calendar year 2002. Of the fivedeaths, four occurred in southeast Florida. Twoof the structures responsible for these deathswere subsequently retrofitted with manateeprotection devices. The third structure hasnever been associated with a manatee death.One manatee death occurred in southwestFlorida. The lock likely responsible in thatincident is scheduled to have a manatee-protection device installed in 2004.

Figure 2Structure Deaths


� Several structures were fitted withmanatee protection devices in2002–2003:

� S-20G Military Canal� S-21 Black Creek� S-131 Lake Okeechobee (07/03)� S-135 Lake Okeechobee (07/03)

Five-year average


MANATEE PROTECTION PLANSManatee protection plans (MPP) are one tool

that can assist in the long-term preservation ofmanatees and their habitat. The 1989 highpriority designation by the Governor andCabinet included development of MPPs in the 13“key” counties. More recently, the 2002Legislature amended Chapter 370.12(2) FloridaStatutes, Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act, toincorporate the 1989 directive for thedevelopment of county MPPs. The statuteprovided deadlines for MPP development andrequired adoption of the boat facility elementinto county comprehensive plans. MPPs addressboat-facility siting, habitat protection, localeducational campaigns, and waterway-useregulations. County-specific boat-speed zonescan be a component of these plans; however, aseparate rule-making process is required for staterules. The plans can also address solutions formanatee mortality caused by locks, gates, largevessels, ships, and commercial fishing practices.Indirectly, MPPs may also increase the safety ofboaters, facilitate recreational planning, andprotect aquatic habitat critical to many otherspecies. Plans can take several years to developbecause of the complexity of issues a countymust address in its plan and the range ofinformation that must be collected. Staffmembers coordinate assistance with protectionplanning for counties and others as requested bylocal governments.


� Staff members assisted in the review ofdraft Boat Facility Siting Plans for MPPsin Brevard, Broward, Citrus, Clay,Collier, Lee, Sarasota, and Volusiacounties.

� The provisions of the Indian RiverCounty MPP directed the county toprepare a formal evaluation of the planevery two years. In anticipation ofevaluation, the FWC staff is providingtechnical assistance to the county.

� In 2002, the BPSM funded a contractwith Sarasota County. The contract tocontinue Sarasota County’s developmentof their MPP was completed June 30,2003.

� FWC staff members worked throughoutthe year with Duval County to addressthe high number of watercraft-relatedmanatee deaths in 2002. The Duval MPPrequires limits on authorizing newdocking facilities if there are five or morewatercraft-related manatee deaths in a12-month period. In 2002, Duval had 10watercraft-related manatee deaths. InMarch 2003, FWC staff membersreviewed the Duval County MPP AnnualUpdate and provided comments. In June2003, the FWC attended a meeting inJacksonville to further discuss the recentmanatee deaths and the potential effectsof dredging. The meeting includedrepresentatives of JacksonvilleUniversity, the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers, the City of Jacksonville, theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, theEnvironmental Protection Agency(EPA), and JAXPORT.


� The BPSM staff members assistedDepartment of Community Affairs(DCA) staff members in developing thedocument “Preparing a Boat FacilitySiting Plan,” a document designed toassist municipalities that are trying tocomply with new legislation forDevelopment of Regional Impacts.

� In August 2002, the FWC providedVolusia County staff members withcomments on the boat facility sitingcomponent of the county’s MPP. Thecounty submitted another draft in March2003. In May 2003, FWC staff memberssubmitted comments on the March draft.

� Clay County secured a grant fromNOAA’s Coastal Impact AssistanceProgram to revise their 1994 draft MPP.Clay County subcontracted the work toJacksonville University. FWC staffmembers submitted comments on theClay County MPP draft and alsoattended a meeting with Clay Countystaff members and JacksonvilleUniversity to discuss boat facility siting inthe county. As part of the Clay CountyMPP grant, Jacksonville University’songoing aerial survey flights wereexpanded to include all Clay County.

MPP map for portion of Sarasota county



� The FWC staff coordinated withintergovernmental agencies in workinggroups and task forces to effectivelymanage human activities in naturalsystems used by manatees.

� Staff members initiated a study atManatee Springs to address concerns formanaging the grazing effect during thecold season. Numerous manatees feed onthe native aquatic plant communities inthe springs. The study used cageenclosures around tapegrass patches todetermine the relative effect of manateegrazing. The study also examinedpossible management strategies forallowing more rapid recovery of thisresource after manatees move out of thesystem in the warm season.

� The FWC, USFWS, and USACE beganevaluating changes to existing canal sys-tems and the construction of new struc-tures that are planned for theComprehensive Everglades RestorationPlan (CERP). Twenty-eight CERPproject plans were reviewed, and it wasdetermined that 18 will directly affectmanatees. The agencies will continueevaluation of manatee habitat in affected

Staff member assesses the effect of manateegrazing at Manatee Springs

HABITATCHARACTERIZATION,ASSESSMENT, ANDPROTECTION

Like all wildlife, manatees require habitat.Manatee habitat consists of many components,including sufficient water depth, forage (marineand freshwater plants), freshwater for drinking,and warm water during periods of coldweather. Other, less definitive, importantaspects may include “quiet places” wheremanatees can give birth successfully. Over time,the habitat in Florida has changedtremendously due to human influence.Dredging has created new waterways and canalsystems that allow manatees to travel in manyareas throughout the state. Some historicsprings have been lost. Warm water from powerplants has attracted manatees in great numbersand has undoubtedly altered the animals’historical distribution and movement patterns.Exotic fresh water plants have provided newsources of forage, while overall there have beenlosses of significant quantities of marineseagrasses from decreases in water quality. Thechallenge today is to manage and conserve themanatee population in an already alteredhabitat that continues to change as thesurrounding land is increasingly urbanized.

The habitat section of the BPSM focuses onissues such as seagrass protection, freshwaterplant management, protection of naturalwarm-water springs, and reduction of risks tomanatees from long-term habituation toartificial warm water sources. Understandingthe manatee’s habitat needs and assessinghabitat health and stability is a primary focus ofthese protection activities.


systems and development of a focusedmanatee protection strategy throughoutthe CERP development andimplementation process.

� All 15 Florida power plants dischargingwarm-water that is used by manatees aswinter refuges have commission- andUSFWS-approved Manatee ProtectionPlans as part of their NPDES permits.

� Over the past year, the FWC participatedin the Warm-Water Task Force, asrecommended in the federal ManateeProtection Plan. The task force has beenconvened by the USFWS to addresspotential changes facing Florida’s power-generating industry and, by default,warm-water refuge characteristics for theFlorida manatee. The Task Forcediscussed changes that may include theretirement of older plants, deregulationof the Florida power industry, advancesin technology, and new environmentalregulations. Any of these changes willultimately affect significant numbers ofmanatees that depend on the warm-waterrefugia created by these power plants.

Power plants provide a warm water refugiafor manatees during the winter months

Mother (with tag) and calf feeding


ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATIONDISSEMINATION

The FWC recognizes that rules, regulations,and enforcement have limited effectiveness inachieving long-lasting healthy fish and wildlifepopulations in Florida. The agency desiresmovement toward public development of astrong conservation ethic that results involuntary actions that enhance Florida’s fishand wildlife resources. In simple terms, theFWC believes that it will never have all theresources for proper wildlife stewardship:instead the FWC needs a public that “wants” todo the right thing. Working toward this type ofrelationship with the public requires that theFWC provides accurate information and aconsistent message promoting stewardship andconservation of Florida’s resources.

The BPSM outreach section works to fosteran understanding of the unique ecological andbiological value of manatees, the problems theyface, and the steps necessary to conserve thespecies. With a high profile species like themanatee, there is much misinformation. It isessential for the FWC to be diligent inproviding accurate, science-based informationand a consistent viewpoint that recognizes abalance between human use and conservation.While this information is provided to thepublic, the FWC also targets specific usergroups that may effect manatees. Specific usergroups include recreational boaters, large shipand tug operators, and divers. The FWC alsoworks with youth, because it believes that thedevelopment of a life-long conservation ethicstarts at an early age. The goal is to providefactual, timely information appropriate to thetarget user group.


� A contract with the State of FloridaNature and Heritage Tourism Centercontinued this year. The BPSM providesmanatee-related materials to the centerfor distribution to tourists. The center islocated in White Springs, a short distancefrom I-75, near the Georgia-Floridaborder.

� This year, a large outreach mailing tochambers of commerce and publiclibraries around the state increased effortsto educate Florida’s residents and visi-tors. After the initial contact, about 25 ofthe sites requested additional materials orstaff members to offer presentations attheir facilities.

� A total of 492 requests for informationwere mailed or e-mailed to the bureau forresponse. A portion of these requests(173) were for bulk orders of materials tobe distributed throughout the requestor’sorganization.

� An assistant education video producer atthe University of Florida contacted theBPSM about obtaining educationalvideos to use for producing a classinstruction video. Staff members sent twovideos that were produced throughACEE funds last year. After viewing thefilms, the producer suggested sending thevideos to various cable stations aroundthe state. Several cable companies werecontacted about the videos, “A CloserLook at Manatees” and “The State of


Manatees.” Several companiesresponded to the offer:

Time Warner CableSunshine NetworkLee County Public ResourcesOrange TVThe Villages News Network

Panhandle Coast Guard Auxiliary ContactsAs an auxiliary member and a FWC

employee, a staff member is bridging theinformation gap in the Florida panhandle.

This forgotten coast” has beenrediscovered as a growing, thrivingcommunity. Staff members are trying toeducate auxiliary members in this area withinformation about various services availablefrom the state.

The monofilament program is one of thefirst things introduced to the auxiliaries at atraining conference held in Panama City. Itis hoped that all of the auxiliaries fromPensacola to St. Marks will incorporate thisprogram with their marina and bait shopvisits and promote it in “boating safely”classes.

The St. Marks Flotilla 12 is pursuing thisproject and staff members are hopeful thatothers will join over the next few years.Other areas of the state have alreadyintroduced this recycling effort. For moreinformation about this program, please visit www.fishinglinerecycling.org

Staff members are also working with alieutenant in the Coast Guard to get top-down support for the authorized use of themanatee educational videos during all”boating safely” classes taught in thesoutheastern states. Videos were sent toauxiliaries in Florida a few years agowithout this approval; staff members feltthat more support would ensure use of thevideos. The BPSM has a few hundredvideos available to distribute as neededwhen the directive is approved.

The FWC Law Enforcement Web site has

a page set aside for auxiliaries to use forposting of “boating safely” classes. So far,Duval County is the only county listed onthis page. The BPSM will pursue thisresource as well by encouraging theauxiliaries to post their classes on this site.

Manatee Products Distributed

Brochures:

Miss Her Now brochuresCommonly Asked Questions brochureWhere are the Manatees? brochureBrevard County Brochures

Other Items:

Manatee Coloring and Activity BookManatee Middle/High School Activity

WorkbookMini-postersManatee News Quarterly newsletter

Web-based information is essential. Staffmembers worked to maintain and updatethree different FWC sites on manatees.Because of the high interest in manatees, amanatee link was created on the FWC homepage. The link brings visitors to a manateefacts and information page(myfwc.com/manatee). The BPSM poststhe latest news and information on thispage, including press releases, maps of newor proposed zones, and copies ofcommission positions on controversial man-atee issues.

Economic EffectFlorida attracts more out-of-state visitors

to view wildlife than does any other state. In2001, there were 1.5 million watchablewildlife recreationists participating in non-residential activities (any wildlife-watchingactivity that requires at least one mile oftravel from home).


DATA DISTRIBUTION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORTTechnology has become a vital tool in

conservation decisions. Timely access to qualitydata can help managers make better-informeddecisions. GIS use allows for spatial display andanalysis of data. Data from FMRI and manyother sources are collected for use by managers intheir daily evaluations of rules, manateeprotection plans, permits, habitat concerns andvarious other projects.

Technical support for staff members is also anintegral component of this section. The use ofavailable technology helps staff members makeinformed decisions and appropriaterecommendations. The technical support sectionalso maintains the peripheral devices essential tojob function and serve as the liaison with the helpdesk when staff members have network prob-lems.


� Staff distributed approximately 120 GISmaps, 200 AutoCAD maps, and 175digital data sets to external customers.Manatee-protection zones are keptcurrent on the Web site, and manycustomers are now able to download andprint their own maps online.

� Phase I and II of OPUS rule makingaccounted for a significant portion of stafftime. As technology has improved and theBPSM capabilities have increased,customer expectations and demands havealso risen. For example, presentations forcommission meetings are now expectedto include full briefing packages that showexisting rules, rule proposals, andassociated data in color. In addition, thesevisual aides are also adapted forPowerPoint presentations that allow foran examination of existing zones,proposed zones, and the supportive data.Local rule-review committees and

stakeholder groups also expect similar,high quality, graphic displays whenreviewing commission proposals.

� Staff members integrated digital covers ofproposed federal manatee zones withexisting state rule covers to accommodatea review of the federal zones. Oncecomparison maps were created, they wereprovided to stakeholders.

� GIS staff members received instructionand on-the-job training in ArcGIS 8.2,making them more proficient with GISsoftware. Staff members can nowcomplete more analyses at their desktopcomputers.

� ArcGIS 8.2 has proven to be a robust tool.The powerful software has made it easierto make standard maps, and it also madeit possible to create more custom maps forinternal and external customers.

� Hardware upgrades for older computerscontinue this year. Pentium II machineshave been upgraded to Dell Premium IVmachines. Bigger hard drives and betterGIS and graphic capabilities have beeninstalled. A new, large-format plotter wasacquired this year. It allows printing ofhigher quality maps and posters andproduces a professional product.


CONSENSUS BUILDING AND STAKEHOLDERCOOPERATION

In the past year, polarization and discordamong stakeholders involved in manateeconservation reached an all-time high. In aneffort to bring parties together, FWC staffmembers explored the possibility of initiating afacilitated conflict resolution process. TheFWC believes that a conflict resolution processcould accomplish many goals:

1. Reduce the polarization of stakeholdersand citizens

2. Establish common ground andacknowledge areas and issues on whichstakeholders agree

3. Clearly articulate areas of disagreement orconflict

4. Identify steps that can be agreed on that arepreferable to litigation

5. Foster an improved level of trust amongstakeholders in order to facilitate successfulresolution of future disagreements

6. Identify specific measures that can becollectively undertaken to advance thecommon goal of protecting and conservingmanatees for their long-term well being andfor the benefit of people

The first exploratory meeting was held inTallahassee in February 2003. Twenty-onestakeholders and staff members from the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service and the Departmentof Community Affairs participated. A follow-up meeting was held in March in Orlando; itwas facilitated by the Florida ConflictResolution Consortium. Unfortunately, a few

stakeholders had concerns that ultimatelyprevented the group from moving forward. Forexample, the planned federal rule-makingprocess for consideration of additional boatspeed zones (scheduled for completion by July31, 2003) was a major obstacle for somestakeholders. Other stakeholders found theFWC’s plans to consider a change of the listingstatus for the manatee problematic.

The two meetings held produced somepositive results. For example, as a result ofthese meetings and subsequent discussions, theUSFWS agreed to rescind the Director’s Orderof January 22, 2003. The decision to rescindthis order benefited the marine constructionindustry and provided potential relief frombureaucratic red tape to many single-familyhomeowners.

While no commitment to enter into aformalized conflict resolution process wasreached at these exploratory meetings, therewas considerable interest in the concept fromall parties. The FWC is planning to continuethe process later in 2003.


ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONSince 1989, the Advisory Council on

Environmental Education (ACEE) hasrecommended funding for over 170environmental education projects. The counciladheres to a rigorous selection process toensure funding of the most qualified projects.Before 1999, funding for environmentaleducation projects was appropriated from boththe Florida Panther Research and ManagementTurst Fund and the Save the Manatee TrustFund. Effective July 1, 1999, projects supportedby the Save the Manatee Trust Fund wererequired to focus solely on manatees andmanatee-related environmental educationtopics. In 2001, the Florida Panther Researchand Management Trust Fund was no longeravailable to fund ACEE environmentaleducation projects. The funding for manatee-related environmental education projects wassignificantly reduced in 2002. As a result,ACEE selected only four projects for the2002–2003 grant cycle, totaling $133,084 inrequested grant money.

“Manatee Education for Lee and CharlotteCounties”

Grant Amount: $14,069Total Project Cost: $15,158

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC)conducted “Manatee Education for Lee andCharlotte Counties” for third grade classes. Thiseffort was designed with manatees as the focus forintegrated education. The project included aninteractive press-conference skit using a manateepuppet. Based on what they learned, students creat-ed manatee brochures for distribution through locallibraries, park and information kiosks, bait andtackle shops, and U.S. mail as part of CHEC’s newresidents’ packages. The project also included aprofessional development component for teachers.

Ninety-five school programs, involving 2,540participants from Lee and Charlotte counties, wereprovided. Educator surveys indicated that the

program was successful in increasing studentawareness and appreciation for manatees;improving understanding of water quality, habitat,and watercraft mortality as factors in sustainingmanatee survival; and empowering students to takedirect, personal action to solve problems byeducating others in the community.

“The Manatee: Florida’s Endangered MarineMammal”

Grant Amount: $37,081Total Project Cost: $68,746

The Environmental Studies Center, as part of theMartin County School District, designed andconducted “The Manatee: Florida’s EndangeredMarine Mammal.” At the Environmental StudiesCenter, 643 first-grade students and 69 teachers andparent volunteers in Martin County public andprivate schools experienced a day of hands-onprograms about manatees, and 151 parents andchildren participated in two family-oriented “FunDays” to learn about manatees. Activities includeda PowerPoint presentation, wet lab, art projects, aninteractive computer game, and a quiz onmanatees. Using information similar to that createdfor the first-grade program, a lecture series focusedon manatee education was presented to 66 parentsand children and 76 retirees. Based on results ofpre- and post-tests administered to all of the abovegroups, the children improved their knowledge

Students in Martin County School District


about manatees by at least 16 percent, and classesshowed as much as 41 percent improvement onpost-test scores. Adults tested improved by 17percent after the lecture and 20 percent after the“Fun Day” activities. Children tested after the“Fun Day” improved their scores by 29 percent—over 8 points more than the median results from theschool group activities.

“Live From Sarasota: Manatee”Grant Amount: $45,945*

Total Project Cost: $69,725

Mote Marine Laboratory developed “Live FromSarasota: Manatee!” in partnership with BookerHigh School in Sarasota. Students in theEnvironmental Science Academy magnet programtrained to develop a videoconference unit and anonline component to teach elementary studentsabout manatees and the animals’ relationship to ahealthy coastal ecosystem. Students translated“real-world” scientific experiences with biologistsin the field into a series of activities for a high-school-level videoconference on manatees. Motestaff members observed as high-school studentspresented their videoconference to local elementaryschool classes. According to pre-test and post-testresults from these presentations, elementarystudents’ knowledge increased by an average of 27percent, and their attitudes about manateesimproved by an average of 19.3 percent.

*Note: Total amount was not distributed due to2003–2004 budget cuts; grantee stopped work onproject, awaiting approval of funds certified forward tothe extended date of December 2003. As of the lastprogress report, $25,846.50 had been distributed.

“Manatee Issue Survey: Comparing the Opinionsof the Public, Environmentalists, and the MarineIndustry on Florida’s West Coast”

Grant Amount: $35,989*

Total Project Cost: $74,339

The University of Florida, Department ofWildlife Ecology and Conservation, developed and

conducted “Manatee Issue Survey: Comparing theOpinions of the Public, Environmentalists, and theMarine Industry on Florida’s West Coast.” Thesurvey was designed to describe and compare eachaudience’s opinions on the following issues:

� Manatee conservation and management� Compromises people may be willing to make� Willingness to pay for regulatory and outreach

programs� Knowledge of specific aspects of manatee

management, such as downlisting (fromendangered status to threatened status)

� Attitudes toward waterway use and boating rights� Sources of information about manatees� Related manatee issues

The University of Florida proposed numerousgrant components:

� A logic model for the expected relationshipsbetween outcomes and predictor variables

� Questionnaires tailored for each audience� A PowerPoint presentation of results and

findings� A workshop to present and discuss results� Extension fact sheets and Web page� A peer-reviewed publication and presentation at

professional meetings

Results were to be disseminated to the public viathe Extension Service.

*Note: Total amount not distributed due to 2003–2004budget cuts; grantee stopped work on project. As of lastprogress report, $11,742 had been distributed.

APPENDIX A—DEFINITION OF ACRONYMS

ACEE—Advisory Council on Environmental EducationBPSM—Bureau of Protected Species ManagementCERP—Comprehensive Everglades Restoration PlanCHEC—Charlotte Harbor Environmental CenterDCA—Department of Community AffairsDEP—Department of Environmental ProtectionDOAH—Division of Administrative HearingFAC—Florida Administrative CodeFMRI—Florida Marine Research InstituteFIND—Florida Inland Navigational DistrictFWC—Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionFY—Fiscal YearEPA—Environmental Protection AgencyGIS—Geographic Information SystemGPS—Global Positioning SystemLRCC—Local Rule Review CommitteeMIPS—Manatee Individual Photo-Identification SystemMMGIS—Marine Mammals Geographic Information SystemMMPL—Marine Mammal Pathobiology LaboratoryMPP—Manatee Protection PlanMRGIS—Marine Resources Geographic Information SystemMSR—Mandatory Ship Reporting SystemsNGO—Non-Governmental OrganizationNMFS—National Marine Fisheries ServiceNOAA—National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNPDES—National Pollutant Discharge Elimination SystemOPUS—Operational Plan Under SettlementPIT—Passive Integrated TranspondersSTMTF—Save the Manatee Trust FundTDR—Time-depth-temperature recordersTECO—Tampa Electric CompanyUBC—Uniform Boating CitationsUSACE—U.S. Army Corps of EngineersUSFWS—U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceWMS—Warm Mineral Springs


Documents

Save the Manatee Trust Fund - Florida Fish and Wildlife ...Save the Manatee Trust Fund 4 2002–2003 Annual Report This is the annual status report on expenditures from the Save the